July 3, 2009

Singapore's poultry and egg merchants are working with their Malaysian suppliers to ensure a smooth supply should the AH1N1 flu continue to spread in the city state.

The plan is to designate a spot near the Tuas Checkpoint, where a Singapore driver takes over the transporting vehicle, which will also be disinfected.

That will minimise the exposure of the Malaysian drivers to the flu virus, and reduce the risk of cross-border transmissions.

The merchant associations in Singapore said they will absorb any temporary price increase in eggs and poultry should the plan go ahead.

But the associations may have problem finding enough drivers, as Malaysia-registered lorries cannot be driven by those holding a Singapore driving license.

The Poultry Merchants Association of Singapore and the Singapore Eggs Import and Trading Association are compiling a list of local importers which they plan to submit to the Manpower Ministry and Land Transport Authority.

They hope that the authorities will grant their workers temporary licenses to drive Malaysia-registered vehicles.

Singapore imports most of its poultry and eggs from Malaysia.